OUTBURST Places 10th at Regional

After months of hard work and determination, OUTBURST made it into the Top Ten at Region Competition in Syracuse last Friday.

The day was jam-packed with non-stop excitement starting with the Chorus mic testing and rehearsal at the Civic Center at 8:30am. Quartets had a brief chance to stand at the mics and get a feel for the stage. A short time later the "Quartet Walk Through" took place, where each of the 17 competing quartets got the chance to hear themselves be announced, walk on, do a few intros and tags at the mic and then walk off. It may have only been 2 minutes of practice but it was very interesting to see the theatre and hear the sound the four voices made on the big stage. Everyone was able to ask questions and become as comfortable as possible with the process.

Then it was back to the hotel for a bit of lunch before make-up and costuming. By 3:30 OUTBURST was dressed and ready to go. The group met in Santina and Carol's room to go over intros and tags, intros and tags, intros and tags...before they knew it, it was time to head downstairs for the "Competing Quartets Only" bus! One stop at the Renaissance Hotel for photographs and then on to the Auditorium. The quartet was met in the Mirror Room by their Coach, Sandie Nason, who was also the emcee of the competition. Luck would have it that OUTBURST would be the first quartet after a 40 minute intermission, so Sandie was able to spend some time with them before returning to her emcee duties. She helped them focus on the task before them, encouraged them to do what they knew to be true, and just go out and have fun! In the blink of an eye it was all over and OUTBURST was drinking champagne in the Celebration Room, not knowing until much later that they would be 10th, a goal each of them feared might be unattainable. In the end, when the judges comments were read in Sandie's room that night, they were ecstatic with their results.

OUTBURST was in good company that day in Syracuse. Canadian Showtime Chorus's own Uptown Jazzin' came 5th, High Definition came 7th, and Roundabout placed 12th. The quartet competition mic testers, Snap, also from CSC, sang for Evaluation only.

OUTBURST would like to thank everyone for their support, good wishes, gifts and love. It was all so very much appreciated. They would especially like to thank their coaches Sandie Nason and Aileen Carney for their knowledge, encouragement, and guidance. Without these two, OUTBURST would not be who they are today.

Santina Scalzo, Nancy Mantle and Debbie Pinkney would also like to thank their brand, spanking new Bass, Carol Dubue, who hit the contest stage for the very first time! Her hard work, determination and dedication was made evident in the final contest results. She made everyone sit up and take notice of what a wonderful voice she has brought to this foursome.

OUTBURST is excited to start learning new music and getting out to entertain in the near future...after a short but much deserved break that is.

Until next time....OUTBURST...OUT!